The Pinehurst Village Council will consider a major special-use permit for The Village Chapel expansion during its work session at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Village Hall.

If approved, the permit would be the first hurdle that must be cleared for the church to build its new learning center.

It is the only major item on the agenda, Village Manager Andy Wilkison said Friday. He was unsure if the council will be ready to vote.

The Village Chapel is requesting approval for a major special-use permit that would allow it to build a $5.3 million, 16,500-square-foot learning center that will accommodate the congregation - which now numbers more than 1,000 adults and children - and serve other community organizations.

The congregation approved the project last month.

Opponents of the expansion say it will cause traffic and parking problems, disturb the historical nature of the area, harm property values and damage the beauty and appearance of the area.

The council held a quasi-judicial hearing early last month that lasted 10 hours over two days.